Pedrick’s perfect strike gives Barnham the edge over Bosham

A first-half wonder goal by Mark Pedrick sparked an important 2-0 win for Barnham over Bosham in division three of the Sussex League that saw the blue and red army march up to fifth at Mill Road.

Both teams set a fast tempo in search of an early goal to settle nerves.

The game was broken up by a large number of free-kicks that stifled the early action.

It took 15 minutes for the first goal to come and what a goal it was as Pedrick struck to put the red and blues into a deserved lead.

Richie Boxall chipped the ball into the Bosham box with the outside of his right boot and Pedrick was first to react with an acrobatic overhead kick that flew into the net, leaving Bosham keeper Simon Hasted dumbfounded.

Bosham gradually began to get a better hold, using width well through Graeme Dowden and Kieran Hartley and the ever-present danger of James Ash up front.

However, a lack of a clinical touch thwarted Bosham’s bid to get back in it.

The second half was a scrappier affair and Bosham lost Ash to an unfortunate calf injury which allowed Marco Giambelardini to come on – but he was marked out of the game by defenders including Aaron Hancock and Perry Northeast.

Barnham kept their attacking heads on and secured the all-important second goal.

Ashley Harper latched on to a well-flighted ball over the top and calmly finished past Hasted.

Bosham heads dropped for a moment but, with Hancock bringing on Ryan Hillier and James Bracher, the intensity rose again for a final thrust by the visitors.

Barnham held on for the win that will certainly give them encouragement for the new year.